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Kings flyer on loan to Stormers

Fri, 10 Jan 2014 12:18

The Stormers have joined the queue in Port Elizabeth to make use of the Southern Kings' talent pool.

Kings utility back Scott van Breda has joined the Cape Town outfit on a short-term loan, but could stay longer if he impresses at training.

He has been named in the 38-man Stormers squad that will head to Hermanus on Monday, January 13 - the fourth year in a row the men from Cape Town will make use of the holiday resort as a pre-season training base.

Springboks Tiaan Liebenberg, Frans Malherbe, Pat Cilliers, Siya Kolisi, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen, Jean de Villiers, Jaco Taute, Juan de Jongh and Gio Aplon are all part of the 38-man group - which also includes new signing, Argentinean lock Manuel Carizza.

Youngsters like Sikhumbuzo Notshe (loose forward), Jean Kleyn (lock) and Ryno Eksteen (flyhalf) – all of whom are still Under-21 – have also been included in the squad, along with members of last year's U21 group who have moved into the senior ranks in 2014; those being Oli Kebble, Godlen Masimla, Pat Howard and Kobus van Wyk.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed that Van Breda is initially on loan for the trip to Hermanus.

"[However], if he continues to impress at training there could be an opportunity for him come the start of the Super Rugby season," Coetzee said, adding: "The same goes for players like Oli, Godlen, Pat and Kobus.

"In terms of Notshe, Jean and Ryno, we always take promising young players with us on camp.

"It's great for us, as coaches, to work with them and, at the same time, gives them exposure to the Stormers culture and what it takes to one day become a core member of our group."

However, Van Breda's arrival has been the talk of the town, given that the Stormers have been looking for a big powerful backline player that can fill the void left by the departure of record-breaking Bok flyer Bryan Habana and Gerhard van den Heever.

Van Breda can play as centre, fullback or wing.

He was named in the Kings' wider training squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season, but was subsequently released to the Vodacom Cup squad.

However, wing Sergeal Petersen picked up an injury mid-season and Van Breda was called up to the squad.

Coetzee and his management staff returned to work this past Monday, with the players returning on Tuesday.

"We tested all the players on Tuesday and I was very happy with the condition of the players during their 'maintenance phase of conditioning'.

"All the players put in a good effort over December and it was pleasing to see them get stuck in during our three sessions this past week.

"The emphasis this week has been 50-50 in terms of conditioning and technical work, but next week in camp our focus will change in favour of 70 percent technical/rugby work and 30 percent conditioning.

"We have about 14 sessions from now until our first pre-season match against the Bulls (on February 1). We know where we want to be come February 1 and our process is already beginning to take shape."

* The Stormers will play their first pre-season match – against the Bulls in Polokwane – on Saturday, February 1, followed by clashes against the Kings (February 7) and Boland (February 15) on successive weekends thereafter.

Their 2014 Super Rugby season kicks-off against the Lions – in Johannesburg – on Saturday, February 22.